Twister device

ABSTRACT

An improved twister device for imparting a twist to sliver as it is fed to a balling mechanism includes a pair of resilient fingers which are mounted on a rotatable body and define a nip through which the sliver passes. Rotation of the body and fingers twists the sliver. The spacing at the nip between end portions of the fingers is adjustable to enable sliver of different thicknesses to be frictionally engaged with a force such that the sliver will be twisted when the body is rotated and yet enable the sliver to readily pass through the nip. If the nip becomes obstructed, the spacing between the end portions of the fingers can be increased to enable the obstruction to pass through the nip.

United States Patent Dragisich [45] June 20, 1972 54] TWISTER DEVICE 1,758,864 5/1930 Strader ..57/774 2 846 730 8/1958 Abbott ...57/5l.6 X I [72] Famew Park Ohm 3,437,278 4/1969 .lanning ..242/54.4 [73] Assignee: The Warner & Swasey Company, Cleve- 7 land, Ohio Primary Examiner.lohn Petrakes [22] Filed: Sept 14 1970 Attorney-Yount & Tarolll [21] Appl. No.: 71,974 [57] ABSTRACT An improved twister device for imparting a twist to sliver as it [52] U.S. Cl ..57/77.3, 57/51, 57/5 1 .6, i f d to a balling mechanism includes a pair of resilient fingers 5 7/ 242/544 which are mounted on a rotatable body and define a nip [51] Int. Cl. ..D0lh 7/92 through which the Sliver passes Rotation f the body and fi [58] Fleld of Search ..57/51, 51.6, 77.377.45; gets twists the Sliver The spacing at the nip between end por- 242/54'4 tions of the fingers is adjustable to enable sliver of different thicknesses to be frictionally engaged with a force such that [56] References the sliver will be twisted when the body is rotated and yet enable the sliver to readily through the the becomes obstructed, the spaclng between the end portions of 2,8 l Newton the fingers can be increased to enable the obstruction to pass 99,674 2/1870 House ..57/77.4 through the 614,834 11/1898 CampbelL... ..57/51.6 983,641 2/191 1 Pease ..57/77.4 7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHzo m2 3, 670,487

SHEEI 2 OF 2 //V VE/V TOR M YRO/V DRAG/$7674 TWISTER DEVICE The present invention relates to a twister device for imparting a twist to sliver as the sliver is delivered to a balling head.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved sliver twister having an adjusting means for use in controlling the size of a nip through which the sliver passes to enable sliver of different thicknesses to be frictionally engaged at the nip with a force such that the sliver will be twisted upon rotation of the nip.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device for imparting a twist to sliver as the sliver is being delivered to a balling mechanism, the twister device includes a sliver engaging finger which is biased in one direction and at least partially defines a nip through which the sliver passes, and wherein an adjusting member is operable to limit movement of the finger under the influence of the bias to thereby control the size of the nip to enable sliver of different thicknesses to be frictionally engaged at the nip with a force such that the sliver will be twisted when the nip is rotated.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved twister for imparting a twist to sliver as it is delivered to a balling mechanism, the twister includes a pair of resilient fingers having end portions which are biased apart and define a nip through which the sliver passes and an adjusting member which is manually movable to hold the fingers against the bias to thereby enable the size of the nip to be controlled.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved device for imparting a twist to sliver as it is being delivered to a balling machine, the device includes a rotatable member having an opening through which the sliver moves, a resilient finger mounted on the member and having a movable end portion which in part defines a nip through which the sliver passes, and wherein the movable end portion of the resilient finger is biased in a direction tending to increase the size of the nip and an adjusting element is cooperable with the resilient finger to limit outward movement of the movable end portion under the influence of the bias, the resilient finger being provided with portions which block movement of the adjusting element along the resilient finger and an actuator portion which is manually engageable to release the adjusting element for movement along the resilient finger.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a balling apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a twister device of the balling mechanism of FIG. 1, the twister device being shown with resilient spring fingers in a released condition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, generally similar to FIG. 2, illustrating the spring fingers of the twister device in an operating condition;

FIG. 4 is a plan view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, illustrating the relationship between one of the spring fingers and a rotatable body of the twister device;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, taken generally along the line 5- 5 of FIG. 2, illustrating the relationship between the spring fingers and an adjusting ring or washer; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the adjusting ring and blocking teeth formed on one of the spring fingers.

Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a balling apparatus or machine 10 embodying the present invention is there shown. The balling apparatus 10, except as noted below, is of the same construction as the balling apparatus or machine shown in US. Pat. No. 2,757,876, issued Aug. 7, 1956, and only the parts of the balling apparatus which are essential for a clear understanding of the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Resort may be had to the aforementioned patent for a complete description of the balling apparatus 10.

The balling apparatus, 10, in general, comprises a balling mechanism 12 for wrapping sliver S around a cylindrical form or sleeve 14 to form a cylindrically shaped ball, a delivery mechanism 15 which is adapted to be reciprocated along the length of the form 14 for delivering the sliver S to the balling mechanism 12 and a frame means 16 for supporting the balling and delivery mechanisms 12 and 15.

The balling mechanism 12 comprises a balling head 18 for rotatably supporting the cylindrical form 14 and a drive drum 17 engageable with the cylindrical ball being wrapped around the form 14 for rotating ball. The balling head 18 comprises a support shaft 20 which is rotatably supported at the upper end of a support arm 21, as viewed in FIG. 1. The support arm 21 at its lower or other end is pivotally connected to a stationary shaft 22 supported by a bracket 24, which in turn is bolted or otherwise secured to the base 25 of the frame means 16. The cylindrical form is adapted to be positioned or mounted concentrically on the shaft 20.

The balling head 18 is pivotally movable about the axis of the shaft 22 and due to its inclined position will tend to move downwardly, as indicated by the direction of the arrow 26, by reason of gravity and thus, maintain the cylindrical ball in engagement with the periphery of the driving drum 17. The driving drum 17 is fixed to a drive shaft 27 having its opposite ends rotatably supported by spaced side walls 28 (only one of which is shown) of the frame means 16. The drive shaft 27 is adapted to be rotated by a suitable drive means (not shown). The driving drum 17 is adapted to be rotated in the direction of the arrow 31 and due to the engagement between the periphery of the driving drum and periphery of the ball, it will rotate the the ball in the direction of the arrow 32. The peripheries of the drum l7 and the ball define a nip 33 therebetween through which the sliver S being delivered thereto is drawn.

The delivery mechanism 15 for delivering the sliver S to the nip 33 is adapted to be reciprocated back and forth in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the ball being formed on the form 14 so that the sliver is helically wrapped around the form 14 and with the radially adjacent layers of sliver being overlapping and helically wound in directions opposite to each other. As the diameter of the ball increases during the balling operation, the balling head will pivot upwardly about the axis of the shaft 22 in the direction of the arrow 35. Suitable cooperably engageable friction clutch means located in a housing 36 and connected with the shaft 22 and the lower end of the arm 21 are preferably provided for resisting upward movement of the arm 21 during the balling operation and thus, insuring that the balling head 18 maintains the ball in frictional contact with the surface of drum 17 at all times as it is gradually moved in the direction of the arrow 35 as the diameter of the ball increases.

The twister device 15 for delivering sliver to the nip 33 between ball and drum 17 includes a twister input guide (FIG. 2) for receiving sliver from a sliver processing machine or apparatus (not shown). The guide 80 is mounted on a rotatable body member 82 having a longitudinally extending cylindrical opening or passage 84 through which the sliver passes to a twister tip 86. The body 82 is mounted on a base or carriage 88 which is disposed in sliding engagement with a support shaft 90 extending between opposite side walls 28 in a generally parallel relationship with the balling head shaft 20.

A drive mechanism 94 is provided to reciprocate the carriage 88 through forward and return strokes along the length of the balling head 18 to distribute the sliver in overlapping helical layers on the form 14 as the sliver is delivered from the tip 86 of the twister mechanism 16 to the nip 33 between the drum 17 and balling head 18. The drive mechanism 94 includes a reciprocatable lever 96 having a longitudinally extending slot formed in its outer end portion for receiving a follower 98. The lever 96 is oscillated back and forth in a direction generally parallel to the support shaft 90 to move the carriage 88 and twister 15 longitudinally along the support shaft.

During this reciprocating movement of the twister 15, the body 92 is rotated about its longitudinal axis to twist the sliver in one direction when the twister is being moved forwardly along the support shaft 90 and in an opposite direction when the twister is being moved through a return stroke along the support shaft 90. Since the sliver is twisted in opposite directions during the forward and return strokes of the twister 15, the twists are false twists and will disappear when the sliver is unwound from the balling form 14. The body 82 is rotated about its longitudinal axis by a stationary rack gear 102 as the twister 15 is reciprocated along the support shaft 90 by the drive mechanism 94. Accordingly, the rack gear 102 engages a ring or pinion gear 104 which is formed on the body 82. The body 82 is rotatably supported on the base 88 by bearings 108 and 110. Upon reciprocating movement of the carriage 88 along the support shaft 90 the stationary rack gear 102 rotates the body 82 in the bearings 108 and 110.

During rotational movement of the body 82, spring fingers 114 and 116 on thebody frictionally engage or grip the sliver to impart a twist thereto. Inner end portions 118 and 120 of the spring fingers 114 and 116 are fixedly connected to the body 82 so that spring fingers rotate therewith relative to the balling head 18. Outer or free end portions 124 and 126 of the spring fingers 114 and 116 cooperate to form a nip 128 where the sliver is gripped by the outer end portions of the spring fingers.

In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the size of the nip 128 is adjustable. By adjusting the size of the nip 128, the spring fingers 114 and 116 can be utilized to frictionally grip different weights and thicknesses of sliver with a force such that the sliver is twisted by the rotational movement of the body 82 by adjusting the size of the nip 128, to correspond to the difi'erent thicknesses of sliver, the different thicknesses of sliver will pass through the nip 128 with a minimum of resistance or drag.

When the size of the nip 128 is to be decreased, the spring fingers 114 and 116 are manually pressed inwardly. A circular adjusting element or washer 132 then is moved axially outwardlyalong the body 82 to hold the outwardly flaring spring fingers 1 14 and 116 inwardly toward the body 82 (see FIG. 3).

The further the adjusting ring 132 is moved axially outwardly, the closer are the flat gripping surfaces 134 and 136 on the end portions 124 and 126 of the spring fingers held to reduce the size of the nip 128. Similarly, when the size of the nip 128 is to be increased, the adjusting member 132 is moved axially inwardly toward the release'position of FIG. 2. When the nip 128 has the proper size, the space between the gripping surface 134 and 136 is such as to provide the desired frictional force against the sliver as it passes through the nip. The adjusting member 132 advantageously has an annular outer surface 137 which is knurled to facilitate gripping of the adjusting member.

The spacing between the gripper surfaces 134 and 136 of the spring fingers 1 l4 and 1 16 is determined by the position of the adjusting element 132 relative to the body 82 of the twister device 16. This is because the spring fingers 114 and 116 have actuator portions or sections 140 and 142 which are formed so as to angle or flare away from the body 82 in an axially outward direction. This outward angling of the actuator sections 140 and 142 results in the outer end portions 124 and 126 being biased outwardly. Therefore, the outer end portions 124 and 126 press against flat side surfaces 144 and 146 of a rectangular passage or opening formed in a twister output guide portion 150 when the adjusting member 132 is in the released or inward position of FIG. 2.

Since the actuator portions 140 and 142 of the spring fingers 114 and 116 flare outwardly from the body 82 at a constant or uniform angle, the distance which the adjusting member 132 is moved axially outwardly along the body 82 from the release position of FIG. 2 determines the distance through which the end portions 124 and 126 are moved inwardly toward each other. Thus, if the spring fingers 114 and 116 are manually squeezed or deflected inwardly against the body 82 and the adjusting member 132 is moved to a position intermediate the release position shown in FIG. 2 and the operated position of FIG. 3, the spacing between the gripper surfaces 134 and 136 and the size of the nip 128 will be less than that in FIG. 2 and greater than in FIG. 3 when the spring fingers are manually released. Of course, if the adjusting member 132 is moved along the body 82 to a position axially outwardly of the position shown in FIG. 3, the adjusting member will hold the spring fingers 114 and 116 even closer to the body 82 so that the nip 128 is somewhat smaller than shown in FIG. 3.

Once the adjusting member 132 has been positioned to hold the spring fingers 114 and 116 in a position such that the nip 128 has a desired size and the spring fingers have been manually released, locking teeth 156 along opposite side edges of the actuator portions and 142 of the fingers 114 and 116 engage similarily shaped locking portions 160 on the adjusting element 132 (see FIGS. 4-6). Cooperation between the teeth 156 and locking portions 160 retains the adjusting element 132 against axial movement relative to the body 82. Although only the locking teeth 156 for the spring finger 116 have been shown in FIG. 4, it should be understood that the spring finger 114 has the same configuration as does the spring finger 116.

The locking teeth 156 are disengaged from the locking portions 160 of the adjusting ring 132 by pressing the fingers 114 and 116 inwardly against the body 82. This moves the teeth 156 inwardly of the locking portions 160. The adjusting element 132 is then free to move axially inwardly or outwardly along the body 82.

The spring fingers 114 and 116 have turned back or rounded ends 164 and 166 which are pressed against the flat surfaces 144 and 146 of the guide 150 when the adjusting element 132 is retracted. The rounded ends 164 and 166 of the spring fingers 114 and 116 eliminate sharp comer which could damage the sliver. The end portions 124 and 126 of the spring fingers 114 and 116 are connected with the actuator portions 140 and 142 by connector portions 170 and 172 which extend inwardly from the actuator portions through rectangular slots 174 and 176 formed between the twister guide 150 and the generally cylindrical or tubular main section 180 of the body 82.

During operation of the twister device 16, the sliver may bunch or wad-up immediately before the nip 128. The relatively large body of sliver will be unable to pass through the nip 128 when the gripping surfaces 134 and 136 are spaced relatively close together and the spring fingers are retained in this position by the adjusting member 132. The obstruction can be cleared by manually pressing the actuator portions 140 and 142 of the spring fingers inwardly against the body 82. This disengages the locking teeth 156 from the locking surfaces 160 of the adjusting element 132. The adjusting element 132 can then be retracted or moved to the released position of FIG. 1. The spring fingers 114 and 116 are then free to move apart under the influence of their natural bias to thereby increase the size of the nip 128 so that the obstruction can pass through the nip.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the spring fingers 114 and 116 are biased outwardly and the adjusting member 132 limits the outward movement of the spring fingers. However, it is contemplated that the spring fingers could be biased inwardly and an adjusting member moved along the body 82 of the twister device 16 to separate the spring fingers against such an inward bias. If thiswas done, the adjusting member 132 would be constructed so as to have a section extending between the inner surface of the spring fingers 114 and 116 and the body 82 so that as the adjusting member is moved axially inwardly along the body 82 the spring fingers would be wedged or cammed outwardly.

From the foregoing it can be seen that the spring fingers 1 14 and 116 are adjustable to enable the size of the nip 128 to be varied. This enables sliver of different thicknesses and weights to be frictionally engaged by the gripping surfaces 124 and 126 with a force such that the sliver would be twisted when the body 82 is rotated. In addition, if the sliver should bunch or wad-up in such a manner as to obstruct the nip 128, the adjusting element 132 can be retracted so that the spring fingers 114 and 116 will separate to increase the size of the nip to enable the obstruction to pass through the nip.

Having described a specific preferred embodiment of the invention, the following is claimed:

1. A device for imparting a twist to sliver as the sliver is delivered to a balling machine, said device comprising a rotatable member having an opening through which the sliver moves, means carried by said member and engageable with said sliver to impart a twist to said sliver as the sliver passes through the opening, said means including at least one sliver engaging finger mounted on said member and having an end portion which is biased in one direction and in part defines a nip through which the sliver passes, and adjusting means operatively connected with said finger to limit the movement of said finger under the influence of the bias to thereby control the size of the nip to enable sliver of different thickness to be frictionally engaged at the nip with a force such that the sliver will be twisted when said member is rotated, said adjusting means including an element engageable with said finger and mounted on said member and movable relative to said finger to limit the movement of the finger under the influence of said bias,

2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nip is defined by the end portion of said finger and the end portion of a cooperating finger, said fingers being biased to move said end portions away from each other at the nip, and said element having surfaces engageable with said fingers and operable to retain said fingers against influence of the bias to thereby maintain said end portions in a desired positional relationship with each other.

3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said fingers are formed of a resilient material to provide said bias thereon and said adjusting means includes an annular element which has an inner surface means disposed in engagement with said resilient fingers to hold said resilient fingers in a deflected condition and an outer surface means which is manually engageable to move said annular element axially along said member to vary the extent to which said resilient fingers are deflected to thereby vary the spacing between said end portions of said resilient fingers at the nip.

4. A device as set forth in claim 3 further including a plurality of retaining teeth formed on each of said resilient fingers for engaging said annular element to hold said annular element in a given position relative to said member and said resilient fingers to thereby maintain a desired spacing between said end portions of said resilient fingers.

5. A device for imparting a twist to sliver as the sliver is being delivered to a balling machine, said device comprising a rotatable member having an opening through which the sliver moves, means carried by said member and engageable with the sliver to twist the sliver as the member rotates, said means comprising at least one finger made of a resilient material and having a fixed end portion secured to said member, said resilient finger having a movable end portion which in part defines a nip through which the sliver passes, said movable end portion being biased in a direction tending to increase the size of the nip, and an element cooperable with said resilient finger to limit the outward movement of said movable end portion under the influence of said bias, said element and said resilient finger having cooperating portions which block movement of said element along said resilient finger, said resilient finger having an intennediate portion which is manually engageable so as to effect inward movement of said movable end portion relative to said element to release said cooperating portions so as to enable said element to be moved along said resilient finger.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said element is a ring which circumscribes said member and is movable axially along said member between said first and second positions.

7. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said nip is defined by the end portion of said resilient finger and a movable end portion of a cooperating resilient finger, said resilient fingers being biased so that said end portions of said fingers tend to move away from each other to increase the spacing between said end portions at the nip, said resilient fingers being held by said element against the influence of the bias when the spacing between said end portions at the nip is relatively small. 

1. A device for imparting a twist to sliver as the sliver is delivered to a balling machine, said device comprising a rotatable member having an opening through which the sliver moves, means carried by said member and engageable with said sliver to impart a twist to said sliver as the sliver passes through the opening, said means including at least one sliver engaging finger mounted on said member and having an end portion which is biased in one direction and in part defines a nip through which the sliver passes, and adjusting means operatively connected with said finger to limit the movement of said finger under the influence of the bias to thereby control the size of the nip to enable sliver of different thickness to be frictionally engaged at the nip with a force such that the sliver will be twisted when said member is rotated, said adjusting means including an element engageable with said finger and mounted on said member and movable relative to said finger to limit the movement of the finger under the influence of said bias.
 2. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nip is defined by the end portion of said finger and the end portion of a cooperating finger, said fingers being biased to move said end portions away from each other at the nip, and said element having surfaces engageable with said fingers and operablE to retain said fingers against influence of the bias to thereby maintain said end portions in a desired positional relationship with each other.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said fingers are formed of a resilient material to provide said bias thereon and said adjusting means includes an annular element which has an inner surface means disposed in engagement with said resilient fingers to hold said resilient fingers in a deflected condition and an outer surface means which is manually engageable to move said annular element axially along said member to vary the extent to which said resilient fingers are deflected to thereby vary the spacing between said end portions of said resilient fingers at the nip.
 4. A device as set forth in claim 3 further including a plurality of retaining teeth formed on each of said resilient fingers for engaging said annular element to hold said annular element in a given position relative to said member and said resilient fingers to thereby maintain a desired spacing between said end portions of said resilient fingers.
 5. A device for imparting a twist to sliver as the sliver is being delivered to a balling machine, said device comprising a rotatable member having an opening through which the sliver moves, means carried by said member and engageable with the sliver to twist the sliver as the member rotates, said means comprising at least one finger made of a resilient material and having a fixed end portion secured to said member, said resilient finger having a movable end portion which in part defines a nip through which the sliver passes, said movable end portion being biased in a direction tending to increase the size of the nip, and an element cooperable with said resilient finger to limit the outward movement of said movable end portion under the influence of said bias, said element and said resilient finger having cooperating portions which block movement of said element along said resilient finger, said resilient finger having an intermediate portion which is manually engageable so as to effect inward movement of said movable end portion relative to said element to release said cooperating portions so as to enable said element to be moved along said resilient finger.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said element is a ring which circumscribes said member and is movable axially along said member between said first and second positions.
 7. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said nip is defined by the end portion of said resilient finger and a movable end portion of a cooperating resilient finger, said resilient fingers being biased so that said end portions of said fingers tend to move away from each other to increase the spacing between said end portions at the nip, said resilient fingers being held by said element against the influence of the bias when the spacing between said end portions at the nip is relatively small. 